In this edition of the On Target podcast, Dr Akila Viswanathan speaks with Dr Kristin Redmond about treating brain and spinal tumors and her research on stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Dr Redmond discusses some ongoing clinical trials using SBRT, a highly precise form of radiation therapy used to treat tumors in while minimizing damage to surrounding areas, that are exploring optimal doses and treatment techniques to improve patient outcomes.

They also highlight the benefits of collaboration in multidisciplinary care at Johns Hopkins, where experts from radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgery, radiology and other fields work together to provide the best possible care for patients with complex cases, including rare tumors.

Dr Redmond also touches on the innovative use of circulating tumor DNA to detect tumor recurrence early and her research on the neuropsychological effects of radiation on the brain.

Dr Akila Viswanathan begins a special series focusing on women in radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins in this edition of the On Target podcast. Today she speaks with Dr Ana Kiess about treating patients with prostate cancer and head and neck cancers, her research on the integration of radiopharmaceutical therapies, and the unique challenges women face in academic medicine while balancing leadership roles, research, and clinical responsibilities.

Radiopharmaceuticals are a specialized group of drugs containing radioisotopes that emit radiation. They are used primarily in nuclear medicine and oncology for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These treatments deliver targeted radiation doses directly to tumors, damaging the cancer cells’ DNA and preventing their growth and spread. Dr Kiess highlights the ongoing clinical trials and advancements in radiopharmaceutical therapies, which are opening new possibilities for cancer treatment, especially in cases of prostate cancer.

The discussion also emphasizes the collaborative environment at Johns Hopkins, where specialists from multiple disciplines work together to advance the field. Dr Kiess explains how this collaborative approach enhances research and patient care, allowing for the development of innovative treatment protocols that can more effectively target cancers.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this episode of the Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks with Dr John Fetting and Dr Antonio Wolff about the breast cancer program at Johns Hopkins and the Fetting Fund for Breast Cancer Prevention.

The Fetting Fund was inspired by the breast cancer journey of one of Dr Fetting’s patients, Leslie Ries, and supports research to better understand breast cancer risk factors and develop effective prevention strategies. The goal is to empower women to make informed decisions about their health and reduce their chances of ever facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

This conversation explores some of the causes of breast cancer, like genetic mutations, the challenges physicians face in identifying those at an elevated risk, personalized prevention approaches that balance the benefits of medication with potential side effects, and the role of lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, in lowering the risk of breast cancer.

Visit the Fetting Fund for Breast Cancer Prevention to learn more about the research projects currently underway and what steps you can take to lower your risk.

In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, talks with Beth Blakey and Samantha Schrager from the Cancer Hope Network about their mission providing mentorship to cancer patients, the families of patients and caregivers, and a new partnership with Johns Hopkins.

Cancer Hope Network is a peer mentorship program that provides one-on-one support for adults impacted by cancer. They connect cancer patients and caregivers with mentors who have been through similar experiences. These mentors offer guidance and understanding to those currently navigating cancer treatment, ensuring that no one goes through the journey alone.

Cancer Hope Network has grown from a local initiative to a national network of around 500 trained mentors. These mentors are volunteers who have completed treatment or have served as caregivers. They represent a wide range of cancer types and life experiences, allowing for personalized matches between mentors and those seeking support.

Earlier this Summer, the Cancer Hope Network and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center launched a new partnership, called the M.A.P.S. program (Mentorship and Peer Support for Patients and Caregivers). This initiative is designed to recruit mentors from within the Johns Hopkins community to provide support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.

To get matched with a mentor, become a mentor or learn more about the M.A.P.S program ➡️ cancerhopenetwork.org/skcccjh/

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, the Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks to Dr Rick Jones and Dr Robert Brodsky about treating sickle cell anemia, an inherited disorder where mutations in the globin gene cause the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, leading to severe pain and organ damage. They discuss and compare the types of bone marrow transplants currently used to treat the disease and highlight the significant improvements in reducing complications, such as graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection.

In this On Target podcast, Dr Akila Viswanathan, Director of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Deborah Citrin from the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research and Dr. Zachary Morris from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for an issue of Seminars in Radiation Oncology focusing on personalized dose.

The discussion explores advancements in radiation therapy, including how modern technology and biology are being used to tailor radiotherapy doses to individual patients. Dr Citrin highlights the potential of integrating genomics, imaging, and biomarkers to achieve personalized treatment, while Dr Morris examines disease-specific biomarkers and their application in clinical practice.

This episode covers key topics such as using gene expression signatures to predict radiation response, leveraging imaging for adaptive therapy, and how molecular markers are helping to refine treatment decisions. They also explore the promise of circulating tumor DNA as a tool for guiding radiation dosage and the complexities of combining radiation with immunotherapy.

Dr Akila Viswanathan talks with Dr Robert Griffin from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Dr Chandan Guha from Montefiore Einstein about a recent edition of Seminars in Radiation Oncology on innovations in physics, biology and clinical translation of spatially fractionated and FLASH radiotherapy.

Dr Bill Nelson talks with Dr Matthias Holdhoff about the treatment of brain cancer and a significant FDA approval of a new drug treatment for a type of brain cancer, called low-grade glioma. The drug, called vorasidenib, is a targeted cancer therapy that works by inhibiting the activity of a mutated gene called IDH, slowing the growth of the cancer. Read more here